Committee advances bill to raise kratom purchase age to 21 after public health testimony

Representative Hansen introduced House File 3453 to raise the legal minimum age to purchase or possess kratom from 18 to 21. Hansen said the change aligns kratom with state age limits for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis and is a first regulatory step while broader packaging, licensing and labeling rules are developed.

Supporters told the committee that kratom can produce opioid-like effects, produce dependence and carry contamination risks. Josh Nye, a lobbyist for Change the Outcome, said kratom's active compounds affect opioid receptors and that product strength varies widely across brands, making dose and risk unpredictable. Colleen Ronny, executive director of Change the Outcome, said her prevention work exposes young people buying kratom at gas stations and urged age-based restrictions to reduce youth access. Matt Caddo of the American Kratom Association said many adults use kratom responsibly but warned the committee about chemically manipulated products marketed as kratom and cited FDA concern about adulterated items. Annette Peters (registered nurse, Minnesota chair for the A.K.A.) urged manufacturing standards and lab testing to keep synthetics out of natural kratom products.

Committee members generally expressed support and asked about poison-control trends and fiscal consequences. Representative Hansen said the present bill only raises age and that further regulatory work (labeling, licensing and liability) will proceed through commerce channels. The committee voted by voice to recommend HF3453 be placed on the general register.

Next steps: The bill was placed on the general register and authors said they will continue stakeholder work on labeling, testing and location/licensing rules.